WWI fundraiser, victory parade

By Paula Allen :
May 5, 2012
: Updated: May 5, 2012 11:22pm

A national member of the Military Officers Association of America has asked if we have a copy of a story he remembers reading in one of our newsletters. I couldn't find it in our archives, but if this did occur I'm sure you would be able to track it down.

I would like a copy of an article published in the (Alamo Chapter MOAA) newsletter that described a parade through San Antonio in commemoration of the World War I victory. It described a jenny (training plane) mounted on a trailer pulled by horses behind a contingent of horse-mounted soldiers and ahead of a military band. The engine was running, and as the trailer passed over the horse deposits, it scattered them over everything, band instruments included.

Jack Overman, Manteo, N.C.

There was a victory parade in downtown San Antonio, planned weeks before the armistice was signed Nov. 11, 1918, to coincide with a national fundraising campaign for United War Work Inc.

A forerunner of the USO (United Services Organization), United War Work started with a coalition of several nonprofit agencies: the American Library Association, Jewish Welfare Board, National Catholic War Council, YMCA, YWCA, Salvation Army and War Camp Community Service.

Formed at the official behest of President Woodrow Wilson, representatives of these organizations raised funds from corporations and private citizens to pay for morale-building activities that “help(ed) the home to follow the flag,” according to a War Work pamphlet, “What Your Money Is Doing for Your Boys.”

Participating agencies built “huts” at Army camps and Navy stations where soldiers and sailors could read books and magazines, play games including “indoor baseball,” watch movies, attend worship services or “hear helpful lectures.”

Volunteers handed out cigars, cigarettes, chocolate bars, chewing gum and stationery, and in large cities staffed information booths to recommend wholesome entertainment to service members on leave.

The privately funded effort took the burden of morale-boosting off the federal government, just as the concurrent program of Liberty Loans — bonds sold directly to individuals — helped with other war expenses.

A nationwide goal of $170.5 million was set, and it took another kind of army to raise it.

In San Antonio, for instance, men canvassed their business acquaintances, while women telephoned their friends about giving.

Street vaudevilles and parades attracted crowds to a central location, where volunteers manned booths and passed baskets for donations.

The week of Nov. 11-18, 1918, was dedicated to a nationwide campaign for United War Work.

Even though hostilities ceased with the armistice, it would be months before troops would be demobilized, so San Antonio's parade went on as planned with the added draw of a fresh victory to celebrate.

A city half-holiday was declared, says the San Antonio Light, Nov. 14, 1918, so that schoolchildren, factory workers and other employees could walk in the parade, which also included floats, “long columns of infantry” and “squadrons of cavalry,” as well as “a score of bands, army and city.”

From Kelly Field, “a plane mounted on a special truck followed by a second truck bearing an engine with whirring propellers brought cheers.”

So how did horse droppings get up into the propeller blades — or did they?